陳怡 (Rola Chen) - Chinese Model

Name: 陳怡 (Rola Chen) ローラ.チャン
Birthdate: May 13, 1987
Height: 161cm
Measurements: B78cm W58cm H84cm
Birthplace: China, HangZhou
Blood Type：Ａ

蒋怡 Coco Jiang

Name: 蒋怡 / Jiang Yi (Chiang Yi)
English name: Coco Jiang
Cantonese name: 蔣怡 / Jeung Yi
Profession: Model and actress
Birthdate: 1977-May-12
Birthplace: Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
Nationality: British
Height: 178cm
Weight: 55kg
Blood type: A
Measurements: 35, 24, 36

Moonbow

A moonbow (A.K.A. lunar rainbow, lunar bow or white rainbow) is a rainbow produced by the moon rather than the sun. Moonbows are relatively faint, due to the smaller amount of light from the Moon and they are always in the opposite part of the sky from the moon.

For a moonbow to occur , several things must happen - good weather, water temperature, sufficient rising mist, wind speed and direction, water clarity, a clear sky and some moon light. First, the moon must be very close to full and be no more than 42 degrees away from the earth, if not closer. The sky must be as dark as possible and completely clear. There must be some sort of rain falling on the other side of the moon, though sometimes the conditions created by a waterfall are enough to create this stunning vision. It may occur before 2 days on certain Full Moons or any strongly moonlit night.

Moonbows are incredibly unique and rare occurrences, and are very difficult to see with the naked eye. It’s rare to have all of these conditions occur at one time, so there are very few places on earth where a moonbow may be seen.

Shaq to the Cavaliers!!

Lately, I have been on the heels with the Cav’s off season news. Surely this year’s disappointing Conference Finals loss to the Orlando Magic indicated that there are areas to improve on before they finally hold the title trophy up high.

They need an athletic wing with some size even though West and Lebron can play the entire game. They also need a dominant center someone who can guard the likes of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol 1-on-1. Cavs are still too thin in the bench which literally disappeared in the playoffs when it matters. But I am confident that these are areas that can be improved this offseason.

Yesterday, after a late dinner, my twitter was buzzing with news that Shaq has been traded to the Cavs for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, 2010 second round pick and $500,000 cash. Hell of a deal for a superstar. Yes, Shaq is 37 years old but he can still be dominant. He may not be effective in pick-and-rolls like Z, but he is a lane clogging force that will change the game for Lebron. 3 all-stars on a Cav’s team? Oh, and by signing Shaq, Cavs will have the cap space to be active come 2010 when Lebron, Chandler, Bosh, Wade, Yao and Amare are all unrestricted free agents.

Anyways, tonight’s draft were be a snoozer since the pool of talent is weak in comparison to previous years, still it would help some teams to fill their roster needs. Minnesota has something like 5 or 6 picks for this year’s draft so that would make them dangerous come a few years down. Oklahoma, Memphis and Portland are also filled with young talents that would make them interesting.

Anyways, NBA season is over and it is time to enjoy the summer with other activities.

U.S. Federal Open Market Committee June 24 Statement

U.S. Federal Open Market Committee June 24th Statement

To summarized, the highlights are as follows:

• Conditions in financial markets have generally improved in recent months.


• Household spending has shown further signs of stabilizing


• Businesses appear to be making progress in bringing inventory stocks into better alignment with sales.


• The Committee continues to anticipate that policy actions to stabilize financial markets and institutions, fiscal and monetary stimulus, and market forces will contribute to a gradual resumption of sustained economic growth in a context of price stability.


• Substantial resource slack is likely to dampen cost pressures, and the Committee expects that inflation will remain subdued for some time.


• Household spending remains constrained by ongoing job losses, lower housing wealth and tight credit.


• Businesses are cutting back on fixed investment and staffing


• Economic activity is likely to remain weak for a time


• Prices of energy and other commodities have risen of late


• In typical fashion, the Fed has attempted to cover all the bases and calm the markets with little success. The Fed remains between an exceptionally weak economy with concern that providing excessive stimulus which will exacerbate fears of inflation given the explosion of the Fed’s balance sheet. The Bernanke Conundrum remains very much in place.

In response, on Wednesday, bonds have sold off in anticipation of a pleasant surprise in the form of an increase in its quantitative easing by the Feds. With the selloff in bonds, interest rates moved higher by approximately 10 basis points and the 10yr U.S. Treasury is now quoted at 3.7%. Equities also sold off with the DJIA and S&P 500 both retracing by approximately 1% after the Fed’s statement. The Nasdaq has held up given positive earnings from Oracle.

It is noted that interest rates are likely to continue to rise given the continuing yet overwhelming funding needs for the foreseeable future. As rates move higher, equities will gradually decline from current levels. Concern over possibility of inflations remains high.

征救世主启示

今岁，金融业界动荡多时，细审评观之，当可以此为鉴。忧者所忧，实业之损，金融之伤，房宅所贷，病患之费，抚育之资，至国源之耗。何以百业之兴，庠序之教，攻伐之术，怀远之道，皆千万庶民忡忡挂怀，彻夜难眠。余尝闻世人有疑，前路何行？渺渺乎其远，如不可达，危险乎其高，若不可攀。

转眼兴亡过手，而今迈步从头。扪心而问，谁人迷恋荣华，谁人贪图富贵？百年岁月，复检变数，一般愚昧尤存。如今，世民绝望哀鸣之际，谁欲挺身而出，声其该声，行其该行？

胜算虽不可知，然昂扬必胜之绝志，成就伟业之壮怀，毕生付诸于此。异人争端，千辛万难，料必有之，须不吝心血，以先贤为榜样，信天自有道，地自有德，禁守尽心尽力，问心无愧之宗旨。

求自觉正道壮志者，年龄无限，学历无需，样貌可谈，慷慨有余，身家亿万即可，易上当得优先权。无薪金，无福利，无假期，无商量。一级（傻蛋）荣誉，百年（上钩）良机。

有意者，为表诚意，请预备厚礼献之。

你懂得承担吗？

沉着和内敛和我扯不上边，毕竟我只是很努力的在压抑着内心激越的热血和野性。我是蜕变了的现代动物，思想依旧活在五百年前。在此，谢绝宾客亲友，闭关反省，放下跨度的借口，抹掉肤浅的脸皮，心情稍微舒坦了些。

绝望的那一刻，往往是希望的开始。危机的尽头，往往就是转机。山穷水尽的地方，往往就会柳暗花明。此为绝处逢生之理，指引我们乐观积极的面对人生无数的挑战。“当我哭泣没鞋穿的时候，我发现有人却没脚”。正所谓，态度决定看法，你的命脉由自己决定。

做人必经之路，学会选择、学会放弃。我们每个人都一样，总是对现有的东西不忍放弃，对舒适平稳的生活恋恋不舍。其实，一个人要想让自己的人生有所转机，就必须懂得在关键时刻把自己带到人生的悬崖，给自己一个悬崖其实就是给自己一片蔚蓝的天空。‘身是菩提树，心如明镜台 。

懂得选择虽然不易却也不甚难。拿得起，放得下，反倒还难些。要说到难能可贵，就得看事后的勇于承担。

何谓承担？有的要在野狼群里生存，有的一生富贵丰衣足食，有的朋友满天下交友广阔，有的孤身一人独往来。不同人经历不同的遭遇，不过有一点不变，每个人都有选择。换句话说，别人永远最多也只是个借口，因为你的所有决定，你都要负上最大的责任。这就是最基本的承担，一种对自己负责所产生的责任感。 承担对很多人而言是包袱，是负担，因此他们只会推卸责任。

自我责任感、家庭责任感为责任感的基础，社会责任感是核心，国家责任感、人类责任感是最高境界。人的责任感是由低级到高级不断深化的过程，必须是打好基础，体现核心，提升境界。关键是你把自己定位为一个人，一个家，一个社会，一个国家，还是一个人类。当你的能力腾跃他人，你是否有义务做得较多，扛下他人无法扛的重任？如此而来，别人的缺点与不足就由你承担。正所谓，能者多劳。也许，你能超越人类的极限，为万物而生存。

承担到底有什么好怕？你看不透那虚伪对与错的定义，所以在意他人的目光。你恐惧承担因为你害怕失败。除了肤浅，你更是愚昧。

对与错本无标准，那么剩下的就只有原则。原则则是，说话要算数，错了要反省，没错则不能低头让步，不然就会变得没有立场，没有性格。

原则嘛，我有一大把。例如，吃软不吃硬，信义为先，做事要问心无愧，做人要顶天立地，有恩必答，又仇必报。警告，千万别惹火了我，我可不好欺负，疯的时候，可以做的比任何人都绝。

是的。我在恐吓你啊。

Chinese Drywall Creating Crisis

TheStar Article Bob Aaron The issue of toxic Chinese drywall may well become the biggest environmental crisis to hit North American homeowners and builders in decades. The defective Chinese drywall emits toxic hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide and other gases. It is believed that humidity in the air causes the sulphur in the drywall to off-gas, or migrate into the indoor air. This creates a noxious odour, and can result in serious health conditions and illnesses, such as breathing problems, eye irritation, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, sore throat, bloody nose, and headaches. When the sulphide gas comes into contact with normal home humidity, it gives off a rotten egg smell, and begins to corrode any exposed copper or lead in the home. Affected homeowners have reported blackened and scorched wiring behind wall plugs and switch plates, and corroded evaporator coils on air conditioning units. Light bulbs and fixtures may also stop working. Appliances and other electrical equipment may fail prematurely, and personal jewelery and silverware as well as the wiring in cable televisions and converters can turn black. Hundreds of millions of sheets of the defective drywall were imported into the United States between 2001 and 2007. It has been reported in as many as 14 states, and may have been used in an estimated 100,000 renovated and newly-built homes, with up to 40,000 in Florida alone. In addition, an estimated 929,000 square metres arrived in Canada through Vancouver in the same period. Much of the product imported into Canada was used in the lower B.C. mainland, but some may have reached the Prairies and as far east as Toronto. In addition to being used in new construction and renovations, a huge amount of the Chinese drywall was used to repair thousands of homes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas. Sadly, many will have to be rebuilt a second time. One prevalent theory about the toxicity in the drywall is that it was manufactured in gypsum mines in China using fly ash, a by-product of coal-powered electrical generation. Coal fly ash can become airborne and emit toxic sulphur compounds. (Coincidentally, defective fly ash was the critical ingredient in ready-mix concrete used in the crumbling foundations of hundreds of homes in Eastern Ontario. This resulted in 16 years of litigation, almost $20 million in damages and another $20 million in court costs.) Several lawsuits and class actions, including one by a group of Florida homeowners, have been launched against German drywall company Knauf Gips KG, a Chinese subsidiary and a number of American home builders. The Environmental Protection Agency, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Florida Department of Health in the United States are all investigating the extent of the problem. In the United States House of Representatives, the Drywall Safety Act was introduced in April. Currently under study in a House committee, it would mandate a recall of drywall imported between 2004 and 2007. Houses built or renovated with contaminated Chinese drywall cannot be repaired. The only possible fix for affected homes is to have the owners move out for several months, gut the house and rebuild the interior. Anything inside the house that may have been contaminated by the sulphur gases will also have to be destroyed and replaced. Industry watchers have estimated that as few as three sheets of drywall in a house can be enough to contaminate it to the point of making it uninhabitable. House insurance policies do not normally cover environmental issues, and there have been reports of some home insurers refusing to pay for replacement of drywall. In cases like these, homeowners could be facing financial ruin. Thomas Martin, president of America's Watchdog, says the crisis is "the worst case of sick houses in U.S. history." The full effect of the Chinese drywall crisis in Canada remains to be seen. If you suspect you have this product in your home, consult an environmental engineer or qualified home inspector.

Mass hysteria, paranoia or just the ugly truth behind the walls? Meanwhile, the Chinese will continue to bear the tarnished reputation of being unethical, corrupted and will-do-anything-for-money.

无药可救的妹子

愤也。枉我和顺之性，早已收敛刁钻之嘴，今日也忍无可忍，需於大众之见证，将其妹之罪行一一道明。

前事不咎，就今日之事而言，你不分青红皂白，以小人之心，虐骂成性，指责于兄。如此不明是非，乃不智不公不正。你不念手足之情，已多次在大堂之上，众人面前，不顾及兄长的颜面，此乃不敬。兄已多次提醒，万分忍让，哪知朽木不可雕也。妹是牛的脾气，猪的脑，蛇的心，会发出臭味的垃圾人，能思考的无脑袋生物。白痴可当妹之老师，智障都可教妹说人话。妹之所性，人神之所同嫉，天地之所不容。最悲哀之处，妹毫无自觉，十年如一日，毫无悔改之心，还有颜面指责他人，让人笑柄。

兄长耻有此妹，如今万念俱灰，终于领悟，血浓于水也有冲淡之时。口干了，心凉了。不盼妹能醒悟，只望日后好自为之。

兄言止于此。以后将避之，远之。

品味女人

有人说我自视过高，我却不以为然，我只是喜欢细细的品味女人，深深的感觉每一个的独特之处。品味女人如品味音乐一般，越品越有味。品味音乐也需像品味女人一样，品味她的灵性。

然而，要享用女人的韵味就需要男人的特殊品味，所以说，最能够品味和欣赏女人的韵味的，只有男人。男人是女人的天敌，也是命中注定的另一半翅旁。男人是女人的忠实读者，也是女人最佳的艺术欣赏家。

然而，在生活中，有很多男人却不懂女人，不懂得去欣赏她们伟大的天性，优美的体态，和种种的与众不同。 女人为了树立良好的形象，往往付出的要比男人多得多。为了证明她们并不逊於男人，除了事业的成就，她们还必须背负怀胎十月，传宗接代和照顾家庭之重任。

其实也没有性别强弱之分，因为万物都有相生相克。她们的温柔，哺育了男人的粗躁，给男人的狂野一个归属。而女人缺乏的果断，勇气和体力，就由男人来补足。

而太多的男人却看不透女人的美，因而看不到她们其他的种种优点。‘色’是男人的致命弱点。也许正因如此，也成了许多女人无法摆脱的魔咒。美丽对于女人来说是一种永恒的诱惑，在这个世界上所有的女人的名字都叫“美丽”。倘若这世界只允许女人们爱一种东西，不用举行民意测验，铁定的大绝数的女人都会选择美丽。 因而，女人一直都是最挑剔，最用心的专家。

以貌取人是人类的陋习，千百年来皆为“有识之士”所摒弃。女人的娇羞，女人的温柔，女人的才干、和让人忘怀的女人味，比诗比画比星月比音乐，更为美丽。这是一种内涵，一种坚持，一种气质。 外表漂亮的女人不一定有气质，有气质的女人却一定很美。因为她懂得“万绿丛中一点红，动人春色不须多” 的规则，散发着娴静之味和淑然之气。这是一种智慧，一种修养。

凭借一举一动，一言一语，一颦一笑，尽现至善至美，动人於无形。

想来，我的要求并不甚高。只是现今的社会被金钱权利地位污染，教育不教修身养性，女人不安分守己，男人昏庸懒散。生错了年代，唉！生错了!

你了解他吗？

作者：吴志强 来源：网络

女人有了外遇，要和丈夫离婚。丈夫不同意，女人便整天吵吵闹闹。无奈之下，丈夫只好答应妻子的要求。不过，离婚前，他想见见妻子的男朋友。妻子满口应承。第二天一大早，便把一个高大英俊的中年人带回家来。

女人本以为丈夫一见到自己的男朋友必定气势汹汹的讨伐。可丈夫没有，他很有风度的和男人握了握手。之后，他说他很想和她的男朋友交谈一下，希望妻子回避一会儿。女人遵从了丈夫的建议。站在门外，女人心里七上八下，生怕两个男人在屋内打起来。事实证明，她的担心完全是多余的。几分钟后，两个男人相安无事地走了出来。

送男友回家的路上，女人禁不住询问：“我丈夫和你谈了些什么？是不是说我的坏话？”男友一听，止住了脚步，他惋惜的摇摇头说：“你太不了解你丈夫了，就像我不了解你一样!”女人听完连忙申辩道：“我怎么不了解他，他木讷，缺乏情趣，家庭保姆似的简直不像个男人。”

“你既然这么了解他，你应该知道他跟我说了些什么？”

“说了些什么？”

“他说你心脏不好，但易暴易怒，叫我结婚后凡事都顺着你；他说你胃不好，但又喜欢吃辣椒，叮嘱我今后劝你少吃一点辣椒。”

“就这些？”女人有点惊讶。

“就这些，没别的。”

听完，女人慢慢地低下了头。男友走上前，抚摸着女人的头发，语重心长地说：“你丈夫是个好男人，他比我心胸开阔。回去吧！他才是真正值得你一生依恋的人，他比我和其他男人更懂得怎样爱你。”

说完，男友转过身，毅然离去。

这次风波过后，女人再也没提过离婚二字，因为她已经明白，她拥有的这份爱，就是最好的那份。

Hush, baby. I'll still here.

Oh cutesy, I’ve got you. It’s okay. Relax, I’ve got you.

There, there. It’s just me and you now, baby. Don’t look at me like that. I’ll manage. We’ll manage.

God, your eyes. Brown buttons. I can see your mom’s shadow in them. Hopefully, you’ll take after your mom. You’re still at that stage. Bright red, eyes swollen almost-shut, deep creases under them. A tight little bundle of heat, warms my heart so now that I’ve got you. Your hair shine with inky black. Just like…. your mom.

Let me just put you back down for a second, baby. Just tidy myself up. Bit of a mess lately. Right, come here. You must be hungry.

I hope this isn’t too cold. Rather that than it burn your mouth. Not one to avoid eye contact, are you? Staring me out like that. You are a curious one, aren’t you? I was never particularly observant or patient, couldn’t hold anyone’s gaze for longer than ten seconds before the awkwardness gets in the way and couldn’t hold attention through. But you, baby, you’re not going to be anything like me. You will be better, because your mom lives in you.

I’ll tell you what, all those jokes the nurses made; all that ‘She won’t let you sleep for months’, I don’t know what they were talking about. I can’t sleep as it is, but if I could…if the sound that woke me up was you crying, well…it’s the best sound in the world. That look again! You know what I mean. The silence of night almost drives me insane and you are my sanctuary.

God, the size of your hand. It’s lost in mine. Not even the size of my little finger. You’ve got a grip on you, though, haven’t you? Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I keep thinking, this is nice, you know? Me, you, here together. The whole world asleep and it’s just us two in the front room. Yet we’re not complete like this. God, looking at you reminds me so much of your mom. She was the most beautiful lady. We were supposed to be a family, blissful together. When you are older, I will tell you about all our dreams and hopes for you. You are our everything, you know? I guess you’ll never know how much this scares me. It’s new for me, being a dad and all. You get that don’t you, being new to the family. Yes, we’ll survive. We are not that fragile. All done? Here, let’s put this down.

Oh, don’t go to sleep. I wish you’d stay awake, talk to me. How long before you start talking? I can’t wait for you to be doing my head in, pulling at my shirtsleeve, begging me to take you out to the ice cream van, to the shop, to the park. I can’t wait, I swear.

After that I’ll be your own personal taxi service, won’t I? When you’re too cool to be hanging out with your dad and I’m no good for anything but a ride. Well, as long as you talk to me when we’re at home, I’ll tell you now, I can live with that. Just…don’t you ever become one of these girls that locks herself away in her room and only shows her face at mealtimes. I need the conversation, believe me.

They say long fingers mean you’re going to be creative. If there’s any truth in it, you’re going to be like me after all. Don’t you worry, we will have lots of fun with art and music. We’ll get started early. It will be our thing. We can play pieces together, finger-paint and work on our house together. Then maybe, one day, I will let you read the letters of your mom and I.

You’ll be a tomboy though, I’m afraid, whether you like it or not. No girl of mine is getting Barbies, fall prey to Disney fantasies and become a superficial airhead. You will be my princess, but I won’t treat you like one. You will learn to be strong and independent. Just like your mom. Look at you. You’ll be gorgeous, stunning, beautiful, breathtaking and all of that. It’s in the genes. Well, half of them, anyway.

Ah, enough of that. Me mascara’s running. Same look you gave me before, eh? Get used to my bad jokes, will you? Your dad is known for his unusual humour and somehow I have to learn to balance that with strictness when it comes to you. Can you imagine that? Nah, me neither.

I though I had forgotten how to smile. But you have that effect on me, loosening me up and bringing sunshine to my days. The house is so empty now, I don’t know what to do. You know, the other night, I sat and watched you sleep, couldn’t take my eyes off you. You were so peaceful, in your own little world. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to sleep like you did that other night. I wish you’d grow up so naive to the world. Pure hearted just like your mom. Kind and loving. Just like her.

I guess when you can start asking questions, you’ll ask why all the other girls and boys at nursery have mums. And I don’t know if I’ll be able to answer you by then. We’ll jump that hurdle when we come to it.

Another yawn? We'll keep it simple then. You’ll say what you think and you won’t hold prisoners. I'll try to be the best dad I know how. You will tell me when I am wrong as I the same. I’m telling you, I can’t wait. I’m counting down the days till your first words, when you first try and almost call out ‘dada’.

I am just happy and glad that I've still got you. I’ll sit with you, hand in hand. You and me. And your mom, somewhere close.

There you go. Hush, now. Sleep for both of us. I’ll be right here. She'll be right here.

Prototype

I got this highly rated game last Friday and never got the time to break it in till yesterday.

For the limited time I spent, I was quite pleased with the detailed graphics, nice flowing story line and not to mention, really cool powers. To summarize, this game is really about character empowerment. You play as Alex Mercer, you can consider yourself an immortal with all the powers you can gain every few minutes, plus there are countless people or targets you can conveniently consume for health. Imagine being able to climb on buildings, perform high jumps and air glides (something like flying) which makes travelling that much easier and more fun than having to learn how to drive a car (GTA).

The missions are bloody. You can easily account for 1000 deaths, be they soldiers, policemen and civilians. These deaths may have come from you charging headlong through a crowd like a Sherman tank, or from the peripheral blast of an actual tank. Not to mention, when your health is low, the fastest way is to just consume whoever you can find to regain your health. Since it doesn’t matter if you fall from 100 stories buildings, land onto a helicopter and discharged the pilot of his duties by squashing his skull against the window, bottom line is you can kill at will without remorse. Good times.

Well, I don’t really appreciate having to kill so much to gain experience. Maybe being able to exercise stealth should count as more skill points, using disguise skills to transform into the person you absorbed is really comical especially when evading those chasing after you.

All in all, Prototype is great fun despite shortcomings like graphics and A.I. which I choose to overlook. A 8.5 out of 10 based on what I have seen so far.

Bug and organs for dinner?

It is really amazing what people will eat nowadays. Is it any wonder that we have all these new strains of viruses and animal transmitted diseases?

GIATN WATER BUG WITH CHILLI PASTE (Above)

Green chilli and the bugs are roasted before being pounded into a chilli paste with a smoky flavour.

GOAT INTESTINES (Above)

FRIED GOAT BRAINS (Above)

Each goat brain is the size of a fist (delicious so I was told)

GOAT BRAIN SOUP (Above)

Tastes like mutton, firm and not as mushy as pig brains.

DEER PENIS WINE (above)

A slightly vinegary and medicinal taste to it,strong and the wine leaves a rather pleasant buzz in the head minutes after consumption.

SCORPIONS (Above)

Scorpions are believed to have detoxifying effects and are rich in protein. Pregnant women, however, should stay away from them.

ANTS (Above)

The ants had no distinctive flavour but were definitely crunchy.

满月的幸福

昨日是倪家新丁的满月酒席，亲朋好友纷纷赏光，为了一睹这小美女的风采。

看着Catherine 安详的躺着，小小的手指紧紧的握住我的手，倪家上下不亦乐乎。老倪终于成了外公，十三岁的小倪成了小舅，当然还有Lily 夫妻已为人父人母。全场为之而欢，而我也知道虽然我毫无酒量却避免不了要喝上几杯，在众多宾客的摧敬下，我豪爽的一杯一杯的冰酒，一杯一杯的茅台干之而尽。转眼间，一个一个红着脸脚步不稳，甚至有人要开溜，照理说，我早该醉了。可昨晚我一阵薰昏后，拼命灌茶和小解，过不久酒意渐消。最后，还是我当司机开车回家。

俗话说，“长江后浪推前浪，一代新人换旧人”。最近，真的感觉老了，可能是近三十大关，心境难免有点改变。想对Catherine 说，世事烦乱多忧，外不能省其身，内不能察其志，啾啾然无以排扰。经过一生波折，方可领悟，渔家的撒网捕捞、读书人的诗云子曰是何等幸福。而我，只是比你早了点看透罢了。

满月酒耗神耗时耗费，不办也罢。大人都感疲惫，更何况是小婴孩。真是太辛苦了。我相信大家的祝福不会因为没有这个酒席而减少。对小孩而言，睡多些，长快些，不是更为重要吗？

(照片稍候上传，请耐心等候！）

有深度的话

1. 两种人无药可救：一是不服从命令的人，二是惟命是从的人。


2. 世上有三种人：一是良心被狗吃了的人，二是良心没被狗吃的人，三是良心连狗都不吃的人。


3. 给猴一棵树，给虎一座山。――用人之道


4. 成功是一种观念，致富是一种义务，快乐是一种权力。


5. 做生意的过程就是一个不断怂恿别人放松警惕，而自己保持高度警惕的过程。


6. 凡是上了年纪的人，大多是反对的太多，商议的太久，行动的太迟，后悔的太早。


7. 做生意的过程就是一个不断怂恿别人放松警惕，而自己保持高度警惕的过程。


8. 加班加点，废寝忘食有时很可能是不具备效率和工作能力的表现。


9. 不要同一个傻瓜争辩，否则别人会搞不清到底谁是傻瓜。


10. 你不理财，财不理你。


11. 魅力女人，就是有充分的意志力去抵挡男人的进攻，也有足够多的魅力阻挡男人的撤退。


12. 看一个人的心术，看他的眼神；看一个人的身价，看他的对手；看一个人的底牌，看他的朋友。


13. 你若不想做，会找一个或无数个借口；你若想做，会想一个或无数个办法。


14. 最了解你的人有时不是你的朋友，而是你的敌人。


15. 使人疲惫的不是远方的高山，而是鞋里的一粒沙子。


16. 胆怯的人在危险前被吓住了；懦弱的人在危险中被吓住了；勇敢的人在危险过后被吓住了。


17. 所谓敌人，不过是那些迫使我们自己变得强大的人。


18. 失败发生在彻底的放弃之后。


19. 幸运之神的降临，往往只是因为你多看了一眼，多想了一下，多走了一步。


20. 世上只有想不通的人，没有走不通的路。


21. 战争：用舌头解不开就用牙齿咬吧！


22. 羞耻心就像人的内衣，必要时脱掉了没什么，关键是为谁脱掉。


23. 知识是一种使求知者吃得越多越觉得饿的粮食。


24. 所谓大难不死，就是有了灾祸之后，得到的不是同情，而是莫名其妙的祝贺。


25. 乞丐就是一种向你的良心征税的人。


26. 状态是干出来的，而不是等出来的。


27. 才华其实就是把与人相同的聪明用到与众不同的地方。


28. 失败并不意味你浪费了时间和生命。失败表明你有理由重新开始。


29. 成功便是站起比倒下多。


30. 使我们不快乐的，都是一些芝麻小事，我们可以躲闪一头大象，却躲不开一只苍蝇。


31. 结论就是你懒得再想下去的地方。――路的尽头，仍然是路，只要你愿意走。


32. 绅士无非就是耐心的狼。


33. 打工者做工，小老板做事，中老板做市，大老板做势――你是哪一种？

蓦然回首

孔子云：“逝者如斯夫，不舍昼夜！”感慨，真是岁月不留人。

也许我们频频回首终难舍弃，也许我们坦然微笑释淡往昔，怎样都好，时间依旧马不停蹄的推前，有时候就在漫想着，如果时间的推移可以倒转，历史是否会改变？如果一开始就可吹散年少的迷雾而看清前面的道路，现在的我又会是怎样？

自反省后，情更难抑，疲惫委屈，溢于言表。。想要改进已成模式的生活，调配一下已成茫然的步骤，却已经找不到以往那份冒险的冲劲和幻想的勇气。可能，我真的老了。

几片叶子，随凄风的夹带下，在身旁悠然飘零，它辉映着悲伤徘徊了许久，飘去。。。。凉意更浓了，我颤抖着揪紧了单薄的衣服，竟发现周围一片死寂，静的如一池秋水，瞬间撕裂了我的心弦。那陈年的伤痕，突涌心间，泛起一片涟漪，顿时令我怅然心碎。。。。

真可笑，我疯了吗？我竟然拼尽全身力气放纵的呐喊，呼声弥漫着回荡在沧寂无人的街头....不久回声渐渐消失，只留下那个孤独的背影，好难过，好沉闷，闷的令人窒息。生命何尝不是如此，美好的开始，城市再怎么繁华，景色再怎么春意盎然，最后留下的又有什么？待到看透时，是否已经太晚？

柔柔轻风，勾起对往事的怀念。淡淡月色，诱起人心中的情感。昨日，乱我心者，转瞬成过往。蓦然回首处，找不到早已失去的旧事踪迹，徒留怅惘，无奈。漫漫红尘，谁又是谁的永远？

我们就像两条不同方向的相交线，相交之时也是相离之时。一向右走，一向左走，越走距离越远。。。。发誓不再回头，不再轻念你的名字，不再想念你的娇笑，不再。。。。

思之不已，求不可得，虽欲不伤亦不得也。翩翩倩影，悠悠我思，如皎皎月。

爱，转脚就是陌路。我常问自己，为何仍然在乎你，在乎你的浅笑，在乎你的蹙眉，尽管你和我多了那永远无法拉近的距离？是傻，还是痴？

看着镜子里的我，抱着心里的那一份温柔，淡淡的触摸着无常的世界，细细的融化着深藏的悸动，默默的感慨。

手里举起了月光宝盒，想着五百年前。。。。

Octopus Garden

OCTOPUS GARDEN

It has been quite some time since I last had Japanese cuisine. Yesterday, by recommendation, we chose the pricey but very authentic Japanese restaurant Octopus Garden on Cornwall for dinner.

The food was delicious though I am doubtful that they are worth the price on the menu or off for that matter. There are barely 5 tables with a few seats on the counter but judging by the speed the dishes are prepared, there can only be one round per night. This should not come as a surprise since the owner is very conscientious about his food quality and every dish needs to go through him, in fact, the restaurant is closed whenever he is not around. As such, it does not feel like a business but a long and slow appreciation of fine dining.

The lighting was dim, though the ambience was not romantic but rather cozy. The service was friendly though rare. It just keeps coming back to how long the whole dinner took even though the engaging conversations helped pass the time. It was a LONG 3 and a-half hours for what added to 5 small and 1 large courses.

There are few restaurants that offer Omakase, even fewer that offer with great quality. For that, Octopus Garden really shows pride in their work and stands out. If you are hungry, pick some place else. If you have a tight wallet, pick some place else. If you are impatient, PLEASE pick some place else. Otherwise, this can be quite a rewarding experience.

Property Woes Slam Cities Across Continent, But Not Vancouver

WSJ: Property Woes Slam Cities Across Continent, But Not Vancouver In most cities in the U.S. and Canada, sales activity has frozen to a standstill. Would-be sellers are unwilling to accept the steep drops in value of office buildings, shopping centers and other commercial property. Even if they were, buyers can't get financing. But then there's Vancouver, a city of about 578,000 people with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain range. Its office market has logged seven building transactions this year capped off by Germany-based Deka Immobilien's recent $263 million purchase of Bentall V, a 33-story tower in the heart of the city's district. Just as impressive, prices have held up well. By contrast, only five office properties valued at $5 million or more have sold in Manhattan in the first two quarters of this year, and average prices paid are off 32%, according to Real Capital Analytics, a New York-based real-estate research firm. So what gives? First of all, Vancouver's office market hasn't suffered the sharp increase in vacancies seen in most other cities. Vacancies are ticking up and putting pressure on rents. But the diversified economy, driven by a mix of companies that include mining, lumber and port-related businesses, and a lack of significant new construction leave it better positioned to weather the stormy global economy, brokers say. The first-quarter office vacancy in downtown Vancouver was 4.2%, below downtown Toronto's 5.7% and downtown Calgary's 6.9%, according to CB Richard Ellis. "It's quite incredible compared to the rest of the country," says David Eger, senior director with the Toronto-based Altus Group. Such a high volume of sales is unusual for Vancouver, a city where small investors and pension funds are known for buying and holding properties. The seven office transactions that took place this year through May in downtown Vancouver, a city with a total of about 21 million square feet of office space, compared with two transactions in the year-earlier period, according to CB Richard Ellis. But amid the global financial crisis, institutions have looked first at properties that have retained value as a less painful means of unlocking equity in their portfolios. The seller of Bentall V was SITQ Vancouver Inc., a real-estate subsidiary of Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. SITQ says it wasn't under pressure to sell the building and only did so after getting an unsolicited bid. "We made a profit. That's why we sold it," says Amelie Plante, an SITQ spokeswoman. "It was very satisfying." Buyers in Vancouver have included Canadian pension funds and private investors, CB Richard Ellis says. Deka Immobilien Investment GmbH is a real-estate asset manager and a subsidiary of the DekaBank Group. The seven deals this year have had a total value of C$502 million (US$449 million). By contrast, Manhattan, with some 1.6 million residents and about 366 million square feet of office space, saw the number of large office transactions this year through May slip to just five deals valued at a total of $984 million, from 45 sales in the year-earlier period, according to Real Capital Analytics. The average price paid per square foot in Vancouver this year fell just 2% to C$355 from the year-earlier period, compared with a 32% drop in Manhattan to $451. The Bentall property sale price also has given hope to area sellers worried by deep discounting seen elsewhere. The nearly 100%-occupied building sold for a price that equates to a capitalization rate in the 6% range, just slightly higher than the 5.5% range it might have traded at during the height of the market a year or so ago, according to Jim Szabo, executive vice president with CB Richard Ellis, which represented Deka Immobilien in the transaction. Cap rates are closely watched valuation metrics in the commercial real-estate industry derived by dividing a building's net operating income by the price paid.

Meanwhile, CGA study finds Canadian foolish with money, which leads me to question whether Vancourites are actually smarter than the other Canadians as a result of lifestyle.

生辰快乐

汝乃人间凤凰，天仙下凡，其名远播，引来之人络绎不绝，或垂髫小儿，或翩翩君子，或才子雅客，或英雄侠士，或痴心蛤蟆，或白马王子，吾真为汝而烦厌，为汝而担忧该如何抉择。为此，吾夜秉孤灯，血饷蚊蝇，殚精竭虑，劳神伤思，汝又可知？

今日乃汝之生辰，更扰轰动，祝贺纷纷不断，礼品源源不绝。吾不自量，想为汝分忧，虽手无分文身无亮，却已有成事之把握，故提笔拜文以献之。

桃觞之上，寿城当前，诚恳至敬，送上沉甸甸的祝福。祝福里带着无数的感激，汝之母在多年前的今日诞下，汝之父在多年前的今朝命名，点醒了吾前世的牵挂，注定吾此生之归属。

送上一壶清茶，装着吾之深情蜜意，清中怀着舒透的一腔淡泊，淡淡的茶香怀着蠢蠢欲动的宁静。两杯“姻缘”在烟尘中蒸发，“汝浓吾浓”飘入云霄，意味着百年无悔的不离不弃，如此决定了一生一世，再约定了三生三世。

今日，汝之生辰，送上对汝之爱，用承诺护守，苍蝇蛤蟆吾都不惧，汝决可放心回敬于吾，钟情于吾。祝汝享以百年如今朝，吾之承诺乃无限之期。（送上藏头诗一首。）

六趣有轮回，

月聚一家人。

寿元本无量，

星拱福临门。

生养各有异，

辰巳骨肉亲。

快心接遂意，

乐极忘归返。

XBOX Project "Natal"

Holy Crap!!

I think if I played a RPG or MMORPG, I won't last a week. But hey, this will be great for sports and some fighting games.

More news that Facebook and Twitter will be coming to XBOX Live this fall. I hope Al appreciates that I am giving him my XBOX 360 in a month or so.

Official Project Natal Site

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News From OBSESSABLE

Project Natal is a new technology under development at Microsoft's Xbox division. It's an accessory that connects to the Xbox 360 video game console, made up of cameras, motion sensors, and a microphone. Natal lets you interact with your games without a controller in your hand. You (along with your friends or family members if you're playing a multiplayer game) can stand in front of the TV and move your body to control what happens on screen. The system recognizes who you are as soon as you step up thanks to facial recognition technology, and you can give voice commands in addition to using movements. According to Microsoft, Natal is precise enough to recognize facial expressions and emotion, so it can be used for more than just simple arcade-like games. For example, that facial expression recognition was used in tandem with the voice recognition to interact with a fictional boy on screen in a demonstration at Microsoft's E3 press conference. Microsoft hasn't said how much Natal will cost or when it will be available, but it has confirmed that the tech will work with all existing Xbox 360 consoles. Check out the Project Natal concept video from the E3 keynote on the Product Details page.

Underestimating the Pool

Whether it is the surreal strengthening of the Canadian Dollar, the sharp rebound of BC's real estate sales or the liquidity-driven stock rally, there seems to be this apparent contradiction between the gloom in the real economy and the exuberance being experienced in the market to know when to jump in.

The market has so quickly stabilized or so it seems, as a result of the following factors:

1) The irresponsible financial entities around the world have been pulled out of near collapse by the infusion of US and European tax-payers money. You do not need to print money to be deep in debt.

2) Interest rates around the world have been slashed to near zero to stimulate spending and free up credit lending.

3) Commodities (especially oil, gold and copper) has gotten a boost(inflationary pressure), and that has helped mining and oil producers. However natural gas for which provide the Province a huge % of it's revenue has continued to drop.

4) The normal seasonal bounce in housing sales that occurs in spring.

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There are really quite a few indications that we are still in midst of a bear market.

My sources tell me that foreclosure numbers have jumped considerably in BC, and the reason why these numbers have not been publicized is because there is a 6 months redemption period in which companies or individuals in debt can try to find a way to repay their liabilities. To spell it out, sometime in September or October, the redemption period will be up, foreclosure news will explode and it is not hard to imagine a market correction once again.

While I marvel at some of the nearly completed RAV lines, I remember that soon there will be an overload of workers without new projects. Since most workers are renters, the rental market will most likely take a hit. If you need to renew a lease, you need to pick your timing well.

Employment is likely going to be weak for some time. The job-buying program of both the US and Canadian governments is yet to have any appreciable affect. Deficits are growing which warrants attention. Murphy's law suggests that there will be a correction coming, if so, then this is nothing more than the calm before the next storm.

Now, the doomsday philosophy is really based on the assumption that the supply of morons or suckers or gamblers will eventually run dry. Yesterday on the Vancouver Suns, Vancouver's landmark Bentall 5 building sells for $300 million. Well...... the pool may be deeper than I expected. Or perhaps, I did overestimate humans.

有一个人，有一种情感，有一种缘分

夜深，星月皎洁，明河在天。夜澜人静，我对灯独坐。帘外，月在云中穿梭月光与树影抱合着，跳跃着，忽闪忽闪，黑白相间，纵横交错。夜晚领空中画过的一颗流星，带着希望，伤感，即瞬而失。直面内心处，疲惫一涌而至。

不眠的夜尤其寂静，忙碌的昼无暇感叹，在两者之间的缝隙里，我渗在思念里，醉了。

是雷峰塔下孤灯的温馨？还是十八路上曲折的心事？地老天荒是遥不可及的, 红尘一转能有一个牵挂自己和让自己相思的人已是不易。牵挂是美，相思是福, 人生美福兼得, 又夫复何求？

有一个人：让你没昼没夜无时无刻的想着念着；让你坐卧不宁，心跳超速的等待；让你可以在刹间品尽百感千绪的滋味。

有一种情感：会每晚临睡前，温柔的嘱咐第二天起床别迟到；会在你彷徨无助时，紧紧地抱着，柔情的安慰，守其左右。

有一种缘分，会在你不经意间，悄然而至。

"著意闻时不肯香，香在无心处"。

现在，我心下在轻喟： 我的那份牵挂能否减轻你一天的疲累？我隐忍的相思能否消去你心头的不愉？ 因为，你的一切我都能感应。现在，你正想着我。

“似此星辰非昨夜, 为谁风露立中宵”

霎时，心海澎湃。一滴泪，悄然从眼角溢出，顺着脸颊，流落在孤单的枕头上。

平凡是福

我自负才高八斗，号为天才。想古人之传世，皆因与众不同之故。初，人皆不明其理，也不知其值，如视天才为不可理喻，疯者也。似我等之辈，皆乃世人目中怪物，故天才者，知音难觅，一生孤独。

天赋越高越不乐观，越运塞时低。天才是殉难者，为了人类的进步不得不付出自己唯一的生命；苏格拉底、布鲁诺、伽利略、凡高、尼古拉·瓦维洛夫等，如此乃天才的宿命。除了同代的迫害与摧残之外，天才还受着严重的精神高度紧张和精神抑郁的折磨 。而天才的本质就是孤独的承受这一切。

孤独，生于闲暇之余，长于空虚之时。孤独，因有苦无处诉，有乐独享。

好寂寞。好凄凉。

近年自觉，随着年龄的成长，符其“逆水行舟，不进则退”之理，天才的本质渐减。曾经梦想的雄图大业早已淡忘；旧日，好奇与奋斗之心也已衰老。别人称其为成熟，我觉非然。昔日的天才只不过越长越平凡，学会了融入于社会，放弃那无畏的孤独。

想来，孤独是自私的象征。人的自私乃本性所致。那想要占有的欲望，自娘胎始，既能给于冲劲，也可引其入魔。有人不择手段，抛妻弃子，灭绝人性，最终，又得到了些什么？这一切到底所为何来，值不值，是对是错？

做人三十载，方才体悟，只有倾注于爱，灌输于情，才能升逸人与人之间微妙的关系。多少人能成为知己劲敌，多少人能变得至亲至密？世事无常，人心更为难测，难以信任，难以交心。有时，太过聪明，看得太清，未必是福。

凡天才者，必先学习谦虚，明那平凡之福，放下自尊和固执，体验那百味人生。欲做精金美玉的人品，定从烈火锻来，思立揭天掀地的来功，顺向薄冰履过。 总有一天，天才不再是天才，而懂得一个道理 - “平凡是福也”。

The Fall of GM

Check out Wallstats and many other great posters. (Click to Enlarge)

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So it should not come as a surprise that GM has gone under, in fact, it is really quite a smart move.

GM enters the process with billions of dollars in federal funding as well as agreements to lay off labour, and will get $30 billion after the process to top the $20 billion it already has had, which will give the US government 60 percent in the auto giant, while the governments of Canada and Ontario will put up $9.5 billion for a 12 percent stake.

GM's European Opel and Vauxhall subsidiaries are already leaving the GM empire, under a separate rescue scheme, bond holders are being offered a debt-equity swap involving $27.1 billion in exchange for a 10 percent share and an option on another 15 percent.

By filing for bankrupty, GM actually achieves protection from its myriad creditors and will get a chance to clean up its books among other changes. At the very least, it is a step forward.

文言文搞笑对白

在网上看到了这个相当好笑的文言文爱情对白，与大家分享一下。

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婚前
　　女：你原先有过女朋友?
　　男：十年生死两茫茫，不思量，自难忘。
　　女：死了?怎么死的?
　　男：山天陵，江水为竭，冬雷阵阵夏雨雪。
　　女：喔，是天灾。那这些年你怎么过来的?
　　男：满面尘灰烟火色，两手苍苍十指黑。
　　女；唉，不容易。那么你看见我的第一感觉是什么?
　　男：忽如-夜春风来，千树万树梨花开。
　　女：(红着脸)有那么好?
　　男：糟粕所传非粹美，丹青难写是精神。
　　女：马屁精--你有理想吗?
　　男：他年若遂凌云志，敢笑黄巢不丈夫。
　　女：你……对爱情的看法呢?
　　男：只在此山中，云深不知处。
　　女：那你喜欢读书吗?
　　男：军书十二卷，卷卷有爷名!
　　女：这牛吹大了吧?你那么大才华，怎么还独身?
　　男：小姑未嫁身如寄，莲子心多苦自知。
　　女：(笑)假如，我是说假如，我答应嫁给你，你打算怎样待我?
　　男：一片冰心在玉壶!
　　女：你保证不会对别的女人动心?
　　男：波澜誓不起，妾心古井水。
　　女：暂且信你一回，不过，我正打算去美国念书，你能等我吗?
　　男：此去经年，应是良辰美景虚设。
　　女：不过……
　　男：独自凭栏，无限江山，别时容易见时难!
　　女：但是……
　　男：望夫处，江悠悠，化为石，不回头!
　　女；好了好了，怕了你………

婚后
　　女：结婚那么久，你还在想你原先的女朋友?
　　男：曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云。
　　女：那为什么当年还和我结婚?
　　男：梦里不知身是客，一晌贪欢。
　　女：太过分了吧。我们好歹是夫妻。
　　男：夫妻本是同林鸟，大难临头各自飞。
　　女：那我们这段婚姻，你怎么看?
　　男：醒来几向楚巾看，梦觉尚心寒!
　　女：有那么惨吗?你不是说对我的第一印象……
　　男：美女如花满春殿，身边惟有鹧鸪飞。
　　女：不是这么说的吧，难道，你竟然……
　　男：昔日龌龊不足夸，今朝放荡思无涯。
　　女：一直以来朋友写信告诉我我都不相信，没想到竟是真的!
　　男：纸上得来终觉浅，绝知此事要躬行。
　　女：你原先的理想都到哪儿去了?
　　男：且把浮名，换了斟低唱。
　　女：(泪眼朦胧)你，你不是答应一片冰心的吗?
　　男：不忍见此物，焚之已成灰。
　　女：你就不怕亲朋耻笑，后世唾骂?
　　男：宁可抱香枝头死，何曾吹落北风中。
　　女：我要不同意分手呢?
　　男：分手尚且为兄弟，何必非做骨肉亲。
　　女：好，够绝
　　
续：男女互换先

婚前：
　　男：你好靓丽哟？
　　女：晚妆初了明肌雪，春殿嫔娥鱼贯列（李煜《春楼春》）
　　男：你还待字闺中吗？
　　女：独立花前，更听笙歌满画船
　　男：你这么漂亮怎么会没有男朋友呢？
　　女：春风一等少年心，闲情恨不禁（昭宗皇帝《巫山一段云》）
　　男：你不会骗我吧，不是说你有过男朋友了吗？
　　女：绮罗无复当时事，露花点滴香泪
　　男：喔，吹了。你很伤心吗？
　　女：往事已成空，还如一梦中（李煜《子夜》）
　　男：痴情女子无情汉。你还爱他吗？
　　女：空持罗带，回首恨依依（李煜《临江仙》）
　　男：（面露喜色）你现在一人寂寞吗？
　　女：暝色入高楼，有人楼上愁（李白《菩萨蛮》）
　　男：（急不可耐）我们能交个朋友吗？
　　女：（面露羞色）洛阳春色待君来，莫到落花飞似霰（欧阳修《玉楼春》）
　　男：（笑）喔，这样就好。你想我吗？
　　女：近来心更切，为思君（温庭筠《南歌子》）
　　男：那我们喝杯交心酒，喜结同心好吗？
　　女：舞徐裙带绿双垂，酒入香腮红一抹（欧阳修《玉楼春》）
　　男：你我能长相守吗？
　　女：凭仗东风吹梦，与郎终日东西
　　男：真的吗？
　　女：为君憔悴尽，百花时（温庭筠《潇泪神》）
　　男：……
　　女：忆君肠欲断，恨春宵（温庭筠《更漏子》）
　　男：好，好。非你莫娶。

婚后：
　　男：（电话）亲爱的你想我吗？
　　女：斑竹枝，斑竹技，泪痕点点寄相相思（刘禹锡《潇泪神》）
　　男：（电话）真的吗？没骗我吧？
　　女：红烛背，绣帘垂，梦长君不知（温庭筠《更漏子》）
　　男：（电话）是吗？我也想你。
　　女：只愿君心似我心，定不负相思意（李之仪〈卜算子〉）
　　男：（电话）亲爱的，对不起，我马上就要回来了。
　　女：月照纱窗，恨依依（毛文锡〈纱窗恨〉）
　　（出差回来，发现蛛丝）
　　男：结婚没多久，你怎么能和别人好上呢？
　　女：人不在，燕空归，负佳期（欧阳炯《三字令》）
　　男：你当我愿意出门在外吗？我还不是为这个家死命扒食吗？
　　女：月分明，花淡薄，惹相思（欧阳炯《三字令》）
　　男：不要说得这么好听，你们是怎样好上的？
　　女：风乍起，吹皱一池春水（成幼文《谒金门》）
　　男：（强忍怒气）你和谁好上了？
　　女：两朵隔墙花，早晚连成理（牛希济《生查子》）
　　男：好啊，好啊，你居然和邻居这样丑的男人钩上！怎么钩上的？
　　女：且上高楼望，相共凭栏看月生（冯延已《抛球乐》）
　　男：哼，还挺有诗意。这样丑的男人你怎能看得上？
　　女：记得绿罗裙，处处怜芳草（牛希济《生查子》）
　　男：靠，我对你不也很好吗？我不是经常给你打电话吗？
　　女：终日望君君不至，举头闻鹊喜（成幼文《谒金门》）
　　男：你就不能守守妇道，耐耐寂寞吗？
　　女：年少，年少，行乐直须及早（冯延已《三台令》）
　　男：（气得说不出话来）你，你……
　　女：便总有千种风情，更与何人说？（柳永《雨霖铃》
　　男：这样说你是后悔跟我结婚了哟？
　　女：罗带悔结同心，独凭朱栏思深（韦庄《清平乐》
　　男：你一点也不怀念我们以前的岁月吗？
　　女：剪不断，理还乱，别有一股滋味在心头（李煜〈相见欢〉）
　　男：哪你还这样？
　　女：红杏枝头春意闹
　　男：是你主动的？
　　女：一枝红杏出墙来
　　男：（吐血，晕到……）
　　女：莫莫莫，错错错。

REBGV May Statistics

June 2, 2009

Increased demand steadies housing market in Greater Vancouver

A continued increase in buyer activity over the last four months has resulted in increased home sales and lessened the downward pressure on housing prices in Greater Vancouver.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 3,524 in May 2009, an increase of 17.4 per cent from the 3,002 sales recorded in May 2008, and an increase of 18.9 per cent compared to last month.

Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 4.5 per cent to $506,201 from $484,211. However, home prices compared to May 2008 levels are down 10.9 per cent.

“The increased level of buyer activity over the last few months has had a stabilizing effect on home prices across our region,” Scott Russell, REBGV president said. “MLS® data continues to show a trend toward a balanced market in the region.”

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties declined in Greater Vancouver, down 36 per cent to 4,733 in May 2009 compared to May 2008, when 7,390 new units were listed. At 13,641, the total number of property listings on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) declined 4.7 per cent compared to last month and 16 per cent compared to May 2008.

Sales of detached properties increased 16.5 per cent to 1,402 from the 1,203 detached sales recorded during the same period in 2008. The HPI benchmark price for detached properties declined 11.8 per cent from May 2008 to $680,320.

Sales of apartment properties in May 2009 increased 17.2 per cent to 1,458, compared to 1,244 sales in May 2008. The benchmark price of an apartment property declined 10.2 per cent from May 2008 to $349,987.

Attached property sales in May 2009 are up 19.6 per cent to 664, compared with the 555 sales in May 2008. The benchmark price of an attached unit decreased 9 per cent between May 2008 and 2009 to $435,848.

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Bright spots in Greater Vancouver in May 2009 compared to May 2008:

Detached:

Burnaby up 48.9 per cent (140 units sold from 94)

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 13.4 per cent (144 units sold from 127)

North Vancouver up 31.4 per cent (134 units sold from 102)

Port Moody/Belcarra up 52.6 per cent (29 units sold from 19)

Richmond up 14.0 per cent (170 units sold from 142)

Vancouver East up 11.1 per cent (180 units sold from 162)

Vancouver West up 59.5 per cent (193 units sold from 121)

Attached:

Burnaby up 31.5 per cent (96 units sold from 73)

Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows up 43.8 per cent (46 units sold from 32)

North Vancouver up 31.8 per cent (58 units sold from 44)

Vancouver West up 54.5 per cent (102 units sold from 66)

Apartments:

Burnaby up 32.6 per cent (187 units sold from 141)

North Vancouver up 22.6 per cent (103 units sold from 84)

Richmond up 27.4 per cent (200 units sold from 157)

Vancouver East up 28.7 per cent (139 units sold from 108)

Vancouver West up 25.4 per cent (529 units sold from 422)

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Download complete stats package here.

The Real Estate industry is a key economic driver in British Columbia. In 2008, 24,626 homes changed hands in the Board's area generating $1.03 billion in spin-offs. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is an association representing more than 9,400 REALTORS®. The Real Estate Board provides a variety of membership services, including the Multiple Listing Service®. For more information on real estate, statistics, and buying or selling a home, contact a local REALTOR® or visit www.rebgv.org.

The Canadian $ Rally

While many trading businesses are joyous over the Canadian Dollar's recent strength, it does not bode good news for the barely revitalized local BC real estate market which as previous analysis has suggested has been supported mainly by foreign investors. So as Canadian $ goes for par, it will be increasingly expensive for the foreign investors even if the real estate price still remains steady.

It is not difficult to predict that housing starts will continue falling as developers wait for the market to stabilize but more importantly, credit lendings are almost a lockdown for banks, leaving developers no choice but to accept exuberant rates from private lenders thus cutting sharply into whatever little profit margin they have left. Here are CMHC released April housing data for Vancouver and Abbotsford.

Highlights are as follow:

Year to Date Starts 2008 - 6691
Year to Date Starts 2009 - 2302

Year to Date Completions 2008 - 5540
Year to Date Completions 2009 - 5377

Under Construction April 2008 - 26253
Under Construction April 2009 - 22494

Completed but Unabsorbed 2008 - 1445
Completed but Unabsorbed 2009 - 2368

Hotels and tourism are also heavily affected. Last I heard, Shangri-La Hotel was giving away free valet parking and a $100 credit towards the mini-bar and restaurants for a night's stay.